DAY 057: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – 1 CORINTHIANS 1-2

February 25, 2024

1 CORINTHIANS 1-2
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DAY 057: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Today we begin our journey through the book of 1st Corinthians. First Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church of Corinth. Paul is writing to the church at Corinth because of the power struggle within the church. Paul has learned that church leaders were creating sects within the faith. It is the only letter in the New Testament that rebukes a congregation for being worldly instead of spiritual.

Take a moment to pray, asking God for His understanding of our journey through 1 Corinthians 1-2. Do you have anything else on your mind? Talk with God about it. He’s listening to you. Now read 1 Corinthians 1-2. Ready, let’s take our journey through 1 Corinthians 1-2.

Corinth was a major port city, with many temples to false gods. It was also a rather wealthy city and known for its immorality. In Acts 18, we read about Paul helping to form the church in Corinth. He remained with them for about 18 months before moving on to continue his missionary work elsewhere. While in Ephesus, Paul received reports that there were problems, big problems in the church at Corinth. This letter follows a distinct pattern, in that Paul addresses and describes one of five problems, and responds with a message from the Gospel. The problems Paul addresses are Divisions (1-4), Sex (5-7), Food (8-10), The Gathering(11-14), and The Resurrection(15).

1 Corinthians 1-2: Paul begins his letter with, what you will come to see, is a rather traditional greeting of his to the people to whom he is writing; in this case the people of Corinth. Paul quickly jumps into the heart of his letter: church leaders creating sects within the faith. Some followed the teaching of Apollos, some followed Paul, while some followed Christ. Paul wrote to them telling them that there is only one true message: Christ Crucified! Paul explains that only true wisdom of God and His ways can be provided through the Spirit of God. Paul’s message to Corinth is simple: know Jesus Christ and Him crucified! True wisdom requires true submission to God. The more you sincerely seek answers to questions of life’s transition from carnal man to spiritual man of God, the more God reveals of Himself to you, through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 1:1-2:16)

After reading chapters 1 and 2, consider the following: What problem is Paul addressing? In your own words, summarize what Paul is saying to address this problem. Is Paul’s message still applicable today? How and why?

Godspeace!